Metal wheel



3 Sheets-Sheet l fil/L41;

.1. H. WAGENHORST METAL WHEEL Filed DGO. 5, 1918 lNov. 20, i923.

Nw. 20, w23.

` l,475,l6l J. H. WAGENHORST METAL WHEEL Filed Dec. 1918 3 sheets-sheet2 NOV. 2u, 1929s. www@ J, H( VVAGENHORST- METAL WHEEL Filed Dec. 5, 19185 Sheets-Sheet 5 vide a rigid connection atented Nov. 2d, i.

lm E. WJAGENHRSE @F AKRQN, @HEEL dpplietlon idioti December 5, 192.3.Serial ilo. 2655293.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that l, Jarras H. Wesen- Hons'r, a citizen et the UnitedStates, residing at Akron, in the county oi Summit and State of hio,have invented a certain new and useful improvement in Metal Wheels, ofwhich the following is a full, clear, and eXact description, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates generally to metal wheels, and more particularlyto one coinprising a hub, a telly intended to receive a demountable tirecarrying rim, and a plu rality of dat or stripped metal spokes rigidlyiastened to the hub and tensioned as their outer ends are connected tothe telly.

One object of the invention is to provide a cheap, simple, and durablewheel, one which can be quickly and easily assembled, and one in whichthe wheel adjustment or the bringing of the wheel body into properalignment can be accomplished by and with the tensioning of the spokes,and another advantage of a construction of this character is, that bymeans of strip spokes all circumferential torque is cared for and bygiving the proper spread to the spolres at their inner ends a .wheel canbe provided capable. of standing lateral strains from either direction.

Another object of the invention is to construct the spoke ends so as topermit optional tensioning and at the same time probetween the spoke and`telly.

Another object is to provide for the proper tensioning of eachindividual spoke irrespective of its angle with reference to the axis otthe wheel, and it is also an object of the invention to provide 'for asimple and economical manufacture of the spokes.

With these several objects in view and certain others which will becomeapparent, the invention consists in the novel features of constructionand combination hereinafter fully described and set forth in theappended claims.

ln the drawings 'forming a part of this specification, Fig. v1 is a sideelevation, partly in section, of a wheel body embodying one form of myinvention; Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section through the hub andrim; Fig. 3 i's a detail sectional view showing a .slight modiiicationof theielly; Fig. 4 is a plan view oi the blank 'rom which the ,spokesare cut; Fig. 5 is a side elevation partly in section of a w in whichthe in1 plained.

ner and outer spokes are arranged alternately; Figttl is a detailperspective view of one oi 'the spokes; Fig. 7 is a detail view partly1n section showing on a somewhat larger scale the connection between thespoke end and telly; F ig. 8 is a transverse sectional View showinganother form or method of connecting the inner ends of the spokes; Fig.9 is a detail perspective view of one end of one construction of hubused in connection with this type of wheel; Fig. l0 is a sectional viewshowing a slightly diderent manner of connecting the outer end of thespokes to the folly and also brake drum and spoke ends and hub; Fig. ilis a detail perspective view of the spoke ends shown inFig. l0; Fig. l2is a detail sectional view showing a slightly modified the manner ofconnecting the 7@ construction oi hub; and Fig. l2a a view, l@

similar to Fig. 11, showing a modiiication or the outer spoke-endconstruction.

ln the practical embodiment of my invention I employ a metallic hub Ahaving an exterior annular flange lB adjacent its inner end and asimilar iiange C adjacent its outer end and these flanges are 'formedwith a bead or rib B' upon their respective inner and outer faces andthese beads or lribs can be in the form of a circle or they maybepolygonal in form, the number o sides being determined by the number ofspokes used in connection with the wheel. The telly or fixed rim D is ofsheet metal and is intended to receive a demountable tire carrying rimand may be of any desired type or construction, and in Fig. 2 l haveshown this telly as having a dat base on bottom portion while in Fig. 3the base is inclined as shown at D and D2 for the `purpose hereinafteren- The spokes E are 0i strip or sheet metal, tapered slightly at theirinner ends as shown at E in order that they may be assembled about thehub, and at their outer ends each spoke is formed with a shank orspindle portion E2 which is adapted to be projected through an opening Fproduced in the base or bottom of the metallic telly or 'lined rim andthe end of this spindle or shank portion E2 is threaded .as shown. at ESin order to receive the tensioning or fastening nut G. In punching theholes i? a portion of the metal is carried outwardly as shown at F inFig. 7 providing a reinforcement at this point and also a .rounded edgeinto which can be drawn the fillet/ed portion F2 oi the spoke end itbeing preferable to form this fillet at the juncture of the flat portionof spoke with the shankV or spindle portion thereof.

In practice I propose to run `the spokes out in a continuous strip asillustrated in Fig. 4, theinner end portions of adjacent strips beingunited and the shank or spindle portion also united and the continuousstrip or blank comprising a series of spokes can be divided at theproper pointsto provide the separate and individual spokes. The shapingof the spokes with the taper at the inner end can be accomplished at thesame tlme that the spokes are divided at this point. By this method ofmaking the sp kcs I obtain greater economy in their manufacture and atthe same time maintain great uniformity in the spokes. 1

The inner end of each spoke is also preferably formed with a corrugationH which enables the spoke to be iitted against the rib or beaded hubflange and the inner and outer hub rings I and K are provided withgrooves I and K into which the corrugat-ions H are adapted to lit whensaid rings are placed upon the hub and fastened to the hub flanges bymeans of bolts L which pass through the rings and flanges and the spokeends at the points where they are corrugated. By this means the innerends of the spokes are securely connected to the hub and allpossibility' oi movement at this point of attachment is eliminated. InFigs. l and v2 I have shown the inner and outer spokes in alignmentwhereas in Fig. 5 the inner and outer spokes are arranged alternately.

Instead of a, bead from the hub ange a protuberance could be providedand corresponding recesses produced in the rings I and K and the boltopenings in the spoke could be flanged by drawing a portion of the metalthrough at the time the bolt openings are punched and this flangedportion would receive the protuberance on the hub flange and would inits turn fit into the recess in the flange ring.

The outer ends of the spokes are first projected through the openings inthe felly and thenuts placed thereon to maintain them in their properposition and then by tightening up the nuts the spokes are placed undertension and the adjustment or trueing of the wheel accomplished and itwill be noticed that each and every spoke can be given theproper-tension irrespective of' its angle with reference to the axis ofthe wheel and 'furthermore by rounding the openings in the felly andfilleting the spoke end a rigid connection will be obtained which at thesame time lends itself to the optional tensioning of the spoke it beingunderstood that a very slight longitudinal or stretching move- Inentwill place the entire spoke under proper tension "and by connecting theinner and outer ends of the spoke to the hub and felly respectively alltendency towards circumferential movement avoided.

It will be noted that the outer series of spokes are given a greaterinclination than the inner series and in order'to provide the properbearing supports for these differently inclined spokes I rovide beveledspacing washers L beneatlli the nuts and bearing upon the face of thefell or the base of the felly canrbe given the roper angles ffinclination as shown. at lg and D2 in Fig. 3. y

By havingthe spokes separate each spoke can be properly tensionedirrespective of its inclination, and another advantage of separatespokes is that in case one spoke should become bent or broken it can bequickl and easily removed and a new one substituted and properlytensioned without disturbing the remaining spokes. In Fi .3. 1, 2, and 3and likewise 8 and 12 Ihave s iown the outer ends of the spokesattached. to the felly at different ints that is, the inner seriesattached ad'cent 'to of the telly andthe outer series attached to theouter side of the felly 8 where the spokes cross eac other and thereverse order is obtained. In Fi 10 however I have shown the spoke enlsbrought together and projected through a single opening in the felly anda commonnut applied to the ends which when combined constitute acylindrical shank or spindle to receive the nut. The spoke ends for'thisconstruction are illustrated in detail in Fig. 11.

In Figs. 8, 9, and 12 I have shown another method of'connecting theinner ends of the spokes to the hub which consists in providing hubflanges M, the inner 'and outer faces ofv which are inclinedcorresponding with the inclination .it is desired to give to the spoke.The inner end of each spoke is bent backwardly and inwardlv upon itselfas shown atI N and this bent or hooked end is brought into e gement with'a ring 0 frusto-conical innil inclination of its faces correspondingwith the inclination of the hub anges M and the inclination of thespokes. The hooked ends of the spokes are brought into engagement withthe rings and then the outer ends of said spokes projected through thefelly and the spokes tensioned, and it is obvious that as these spokesare all brought under pr per tension ithe rings with the spokes conncted theretolwill be brought into engagement with the hub flanges whicharrest their movement and thereby maintain the inner ends of the spokesin a thorou hly rigid position. If desired the rings couId be made withshallow radial depressions to receive the spoke ends and the hub flangescould is completely the inner side rm, the

except in Fig.

lll

maaier also be made with shallow radial depressions M either to receivethe spoke ends in case they project beyond the face of the ring or thesedepressions could receive projections formed upon the rings ifdesirable, the idea being that by havingmating radial projections anddepressions upon the hub anges and rings all possibility ofcircumferential movement at these points will be avoided.

ln Fig. l0 l have shown the inner end of the inner spoke as' turned inthe reverse direction as shown at M in order to be brought into engaement with the inclined portion P' of the irakedrum l), and bolts P2 canbe passed through the hub flange, brake drum,` and if desired throughthe spoke ends. Where a limited number of spokes are employed the hubdanges Mz can be formed with undercut grooves M3 as most clearly shownin Fig. 12, and into which the hooked ends of the spokes can be broughtinto engagement and in certain instances it maybe desirable to havespaced radial projections instead of a continuous hub flange in order'that the hooked end of the spoke may be inserted laterally. By connectinthe inner ends of. the spokes tlinough t ,e employment of the ring inconnection with the return bend of the spoke end it will be seen that avery cheap and easily assembled wheel is provided completely eliminatingthe use of bolts for effooting the connection between the spoke ends andhub, and it `is obvious that when all of the spokes are properlytensioned the central connecting ring will be held absolutely fixed inits proper position.

This form of connection could also be used with a straight hub flangeand iat ring, that is flange and ring perpendicular to the axis of theWheel, instead of having the hub flange and ring upon` an inclination.

It will thus be seen that l provide several novel forms of metal wheelall of which embody the saine general features of construction andadvantage, namely the individual and optional tensioning of strip metalspokes whereby wheel adjustment is accomplished and circumferentialtorque avoided 'and at the same time a wheel provided ca able ofwithstanding lateral strains and maintaining loads without affecting anyof the connectioiris between the several parts of the wheel body.

Subject matter disclosed but not claimed in this application is claimedin a divisional application Serial No. 668,534 filed Oct. 15th, i923. i

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is l. A. metal wheelcomprising a hub, a plurality of strip spokes connected at their innerends to the hub and terminating at their or ends in or spindles and afolly having openings through which the Shanks or spindles project andfastening means applied to said Shanks or spindles for connecting thespokes with the felly and simultaneously tensioning said spokes.

2. A metal wheel comprising a hub, a plurality of strip metal spokeshaving their inner ends connected to the hub and held againstcircumferential movement, the outer ends of said. strip spokesterminating in spindles, and a sheet metal felly having openings throughwhich the spindles are projected and nuts screwed upon said spindles tosecure the outer end of the spokes to the felly and simultaneouslytension said spokes.

3. In a metal wheel, the combination with a hub, strip metal spokesterminating iu spindles the juncture of the strip and spindle beingfilleted and a sheet metal felllv having apertures therein to receivethe spindle and filleted ends of the spoke the edges of said aperturesbeing rounded.v and fastening means lapplied to the ends of the -spokeswhereby said spokes are connected to the felly and radially tensioned.

42. A metal wheel comprising a hub having flanges and a sheet metalfolly having apertures, and a plurality of stripiiiotul spokes the innerends of said spokes being shaped for engagement with the hub flanges andmeans for holding said ends in engagement, the outer ends of said spokesbeing threaded and projected through the apertured felly and nutssecured upon said threaded ends for fastening and tensioning the spokes.

5. A metal wheel comprising a hub having radial flanges, a sheet metalfixed rim, an outer series of strip sheet metal spokes having spindlesat their outer ends, said outer series of spokes being connected attheir inner ends to the outerhub flange, the` outer ends of saidspokes'passing through the sheet metal fixed rim and connected thereto.un inner series of strip sheet metal spokes having spindles at theirouter ends, said outer ends passing through the sheet metal fixed rimand connected thereto, the inner ends of said inner sei-ies of spokesbeing connected to the inner hub flange. the angle of inclination of theouter series of spokes to the axis of the wheel being different from theangle of inclination of the inner series of spokes.

6., A metal wheel comprising a hub and a sheet metal felly, and aplurality of strip metal spokesconnected at their outer ends to thefelly, the'inner ends of said spokes being bent back upon themselves andan annulus to which said inner ends of the spokes are connected, saidspokes being tensioned 'whereby the annulus is held in engagement withthe hub.

7. A etal wheel comprisinge hub having anges, a felly having aperturesand a plurality of strip metal spokes, the inner ends of said spokesbeing bent back upon themselves, the outer ends of said spokes beingthreaded and projected through the felly, nuts applied to the threadedends of Said spokes whereby said spokes and felly are connected togetherand the spokes tensioned, and an annulus to which the inner ends of thespokes are hooked, the spokes being arranged obliquely with reference tothe plane of the Wheel, the annulus and spokes being held in lockedrelation with the hub. 8. A metal wheel, a hub, a felly, a plurality ofstrip spokes having their inner ends bent back upon themselves, theouter ends of said spokes being connected to the felly and tensioned,and a brake drum, the

maaier inner ends of said spokes being connected to the inner portionsof said brake drum, and means for connecting said brake drum to saidhub.

9. A metal wheel comprising a hub having anges, said flanges havingprojections, a sheet metal felly, and a plurality of strip metal spokes,the inner ends of said spokes being shaped for engagement with the hubflanges and the projections thereon, and means for holding said ends inengagement with said hub ianges, the outer ends of said spokes beingconnected to the sheet metal A felly.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto affix my signature.

JAMES H. WAGEN HORST.

